More areas get big recycle bins

Households in most parts of the super city already use the larger 240-litre bins. Photo / Supplied

Recyclable collections are set to get easier for more than 210,000 households in Rodney, North Shore and Waitakere.

From today, new 240-litre recycling bins will begin being delivered to the north and west as part of a goal to have consistent waste services across the super city.

Households should receive a new bin by June 30 for the new service to begin on July 1. This will bring them in line with most other Auckland households with 240-litre bins.

The new, larger bins will replace crates in Rodney and 140-litre bins in North Shore and Waitakere.

With greater capacity for more recyclable items, cardboard and paper no longer need to be separated - they can all go in the new bin. Separate collections for these items will cease at the end of June.

As well as paper and cardboard, fruit and juice cartons such as Tetrapaks will also go in the bins, along with other recyclables including glass and plastic containers and bottles and aluminium cans. Collections will be fortnightly.

Regional policy and strategy committee chairman George Wood said the new bins and service changes were another key milestone in the council's vision to transform waste services, as outlined in the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.

"Moving to consistent waste services is a core promise we have made to Aucklanders, so that everyone has the same choices," he said.

"The waste team has previously implemented similar recycling changes in legacy Manukau, Auckland City and Papakura and I am confident this prior experience will stand us in good stead with this roll-out."

The cost for the roll-out is included in a targeted waste rate.

The council is also planning changes to collection days to improve the efficiency of collections for now and the future. The changes will affect most residents.

More information on day changes will be made available as part of the bin roll-out.

Roll-out dates

April 4 onwards: New recycling bins distributed to Rodney & northern North Shore

May 2 onwards: New recycling bins distributed to remaining parts of North Shore

May 30 onwards: New bins distributed to Waitakere and western part of Rodney

July 1: Collections using new bins commence in all three areas.

- staff reporter